Battery module housing, battery module, cover element for a battery module housing of this type or for a battery module of this type, method for producing a battery module of this type, and battery

ABSTRACT

The invention relates to a battery module housing which forms a first housing segment (21) and a second housing segment (22) which form accommodation spaces (3, 31, 32) that are separated from one another, each housing segment being used to accommodate at least one battery cell (13), wherein the battery module housing (1) is closable using a cover element (5) which forms a first cover segment (61) and a second cover segment (62). The first housing segment (21) is closable using the first cover segment (61) and the second housing segment (22) is closable using the second cover segment (62), wherein the cover element (5) has a dividing line (7) which is formed in such a way that the first cover segment (61) and the second cover segment (62) can be separated from one another along the dividing line (7).

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to a battery module housing. Subject matter of thepresent invention is also a battery module, a cover element for such abattery module housing or for such a battery module, a method forproducing such a battery module and a battery.

The German printed publication DE 10 2011 056 417 A1 discloses a storagebattery having one or a plurality of electrochemical storage cells. Thestorage battery has a housing comprising at least two accommodationspaces that are separated from one another by one or a plurality ofhousing walls. In so doing, one or a plurality of the accommodationspaces is designed as cell spaces, which are fitted in each case to thestorage cell for receiving the electrochemical elements. The storagecells are connected in a series circuit with one another via respectivecell connectors. In addition, busbars made of copper can be injectionmolded in a case cover part that covers the receiving spaces.

The German printed publication DE 10 2012 216 316 A1 discloses a cellhousing for a battery cell, said cell housing being designed to receiveelectrolytes to be filled into the same and other electrochemicalbattery components, which are to be arranged in the cell housing forgenerating a battery voltage that is to be provided at the terminals ofthe battery cell. The terminals are arranged here on a cell cover.

Furthermore, the German printed publication DE 10 2012 213 871 A1discloses a battery cell having a battery cell housing and an electricalconductor. In this case, the electrical conductor is connected withinthe battery cell housing to an electrode of the battery cell in anelectrically conductive manner. In addition, the electrical conductor isguided through an opening in the battery cell housing out of the batterycell housing, and a plastic seal is cast between the electricalconductor and the battery cell housing.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The battery module housing, the battery module and the method of theinvention have the advantage that a single cover segment of a coverelement can be separated from adjacent cover segments. Should anindividual battery cell of the battery module not satisfy the qualityrequirements after the formation process, it is therefore possible toseparate the cover segment belonging to this battery cell from theadjacent cover segments and to replace the defective battery cell. As aresult, the reject rate during the production of a battery module isthereby reduced because the rejection of a battery cell does not mean arejection of the entire battery module during a quality test, but onlythe replacement of an individual battery cell is required.

According to the invention, a battery module housing is provided, whichforms a first housing segment and a second housing segment. The firsthousing segment and the second housing segment form accommodation spacesthat are separated from one another, each housing segment being used toaccommodate at least one battery cell. Furthermore, the battery modulehousing is closable using a cover element which forms a first coversegment and a second cover segment. In so doing, the first housingsegment is closable using the first cover segment and the second housingsegment is closable using the second cover segment. In addition, thecover element has a dividing line which is formed in such a way that thefirst cover segment and the second cover segment can be separated fromone another along the dividing line.

In this publication, a separation region can also be understood by adividing line, said separation region being designed to separate thefirst cover segment from the second cover segment.

The dividing line is especially formed by a multiplicity of openingsrunning continuously through the cover element or by weakened portionsin the material of the cover element. Furthermore, a separation regioncan be understood by the dividing line in this publication. As a result,a simpler, faster and/or more precise separation of the first coversegment and the second cover segment from one another is possible alongthe dividing line, in particular in comparison to other separationmethods, as, for example, laser cutting, cutting or sawing.

It is advantageous if the cover element has at least one voltageterminal. In this connection, the at least one voltage terminal is madeof metal. The first cover segment and/or the second cover segmentparticularly have at least one voltage terminal. It is furthermoreadvantageous if the cover element, in particular the first cover segmentand/or the second cover segment, has a first voltage terminal and asecond voltage terminal, which are made of metal. Thus, an electricalconnection to the battery cell accommodated in a housing segment isestablished via the at least one voltage terminal made of metal. In apreferred manner, the first voltage terminal and the second voltageterminal are used to tap a positive voltage and a negative voltage ofthe battery cell.

It is expedient if the battery module is constructed in one-piece; thusenabling the battery module housing to be simply and cost effectivelyproduced. A design as a so-called monoblock module is thereforeespecially possible. In this connection, the one-piece construction ofthe battery module housing increases the mechanical stability thereofand thus no or only small additional measures are necessary formechanically fixing the individual housing segments.

According to a further idea of the invention, the first housing segmentand the second housing segment are arranged adjacent to one another. Thefirst housing and the second housing segment are particularly arrangedto be separable from one another, so that it is possible to replace ahousing segment alternatively or additionally to the replacement of acover segment, should the associated battery cell not satisfy thequality requirements after the formation process.

In an advantageous manner, the battery module housing has a plurality ofhousing segments and the battery module is closable using a coverelement. The cover element has a plurality of cover segments and aplurality of dividing lines. Furthermore, the battery module housing canadditionally be closed using a plurality of cover elements. In so doing,a cover element can also consist of only one cover segment, wherein acover element advantageously has a plurality of cover segments. Hence, abattery module can consist of a plurality of battery cells connected inparallel or in series without the reject rate being raised duringproduction. This results from the fact that a battery cell rejectedduring the function check can be simply replaced because the associatedcover segment can be separated from the adjacent cover segments. Hence,an increase in the number of the battery cells does not mean an increasein the reject rate during production as is the case with the productionof comparable battery modules having a cover element without aseparation possibility of the cover segments.

It is advantageous if the battery module housing and/or the coverelement are formed from plastic. The production as an injection-moldedpart is particularly advantageous. In so doing, the metallic voltageterminals can be integrated into the cover element during the injectionmolding process for producing the cover element.

The battery module housing and/or the cover element are especially madefrom a material with a thermal conductivity, for example, of 1 to 100W/mK, preferably from 1 to 30 W/mK and particularly from 3 to 25 W/mK,such materials being known from the prior art.

It is expedient if the battery cell is accommodated in a foil. The foilis, for example, formed from a metallic material or contains a metallicmaterial. In addition, the foil preferably has a thickness of 100 μm to400 μm, and the foil has in particular a thickness of 150 μm to 300 μmand furthermore the foil has a thickness of 200 μm. In this context,foil can be particularly understood as a pouch foil which is describedbelow.

A battery cell is particularly accommodated in a foil in the form of aso-called pouch foil. In addition, a battery cell is preferably designedas a wound cell, as a so-called jelly roll. A pouch foil preferably hasa metallic layer, which is particularly formed from aluminum and has athickness of 40 μm to 100 μm. Furthermore, the pouch foil preferably hasan inner layer, which, for example, if formed from a polymer andparticularly from polyethylene, polypropylene or polyamide and has athickness of 75 μm to 91 μm and particularly a thickness of 80 μm. In sodoing, the inner layer is arranged adjacent to the metallic layer on theside of the metallic layer facing the battery cell and is connected flatto the metallic layer. In particular, a protective layer canadditionally be arranged between the metallic layer and the inner layer.Furthermore, the pouch foil can additionally have an outer layer, which,for example, is formed from as polymer and in particular frompolyethylene, polypropylene, polyethylene terephthalate or polyamide andhas a thickness of 10 μm to 20 μm and in particular a thickness of 12μm. In so doing, the outer layer is arranged adjacent to the metalliclayer on the side of the metallic layer facing away from the battery andis connected flat to the metallic layer. The metallic layer provides foran electrical conductivity of the pouch foil, and the inner layer and/orthe outer layer form a protective or battery layer against moisture. Theelectrodes of the battery cell, in particular the jelly roll, arethereby wrapped in the pouch foil or stacked. In addition, the liquidelectrolyte is also accommodated in the pouch foil, wherein the pouchfoil seals the battery cell. A pouch foil known from the prior art canparticularly be used.

The invention furthermore relates to a battery module having a batterymodule housing, which forms a first housing segment. In a preferredmanner, the battery module additionally forms a second housing segment.The first housing segment and in particular the second housing segmentare used to accommodate at least one battery cell. In addition, the atleast one battery cell is accommodated in a foil which is formed from ametallic material or contains a metallic material, in particular a pouchfoil. In addition, the battery module housing is closable using a coverelement which forms a first cover segment and in particular a secondcover segment. The first housing segment is closable using the firstcover segment; and in a preferred manner, the second housing segment isclosable using the second cover segment. Furthermore, the cover elementhas at least one voltage terminal, in particular a first voltageterminal and a second voltage terminal. In a preferred manner, the firstcover segment and/or the second cover segment has the at least onevoltage terminal. The first cover segment and the second cover segmentparticularly have a first voltage terminal and a second voltageterminal. In this connection, a connection strip electrically connectsthe at least one voltage terminal and the battery cell. This has theadvantage that a simple establishment of an electrical connectionbetween the at least one metallic voltage terminal and the battery cellis possible by means of the connection strip. In particular in the caseof a battery cell, which can be accommodated in a pouch foil, this hasthe advantage that a battery cell can be arranged in a housing segmentand can be easily electrically connected to the at least one voltageterminal of the cover element with the connection strip. In particular,a direct electrical connection of the jelly roll accommodated in a pouchfoil to the at least one voltage terminal is thus possible by means ofthe connection strip. In a preferred manner, the connection strip isformed from copper and/or aluminum or contains copper and/or aluminum sothat the connection strip is electrically conductive. The connectionstrip is particularly uncoated and formed from the same material as theelectrodes of the battery cell.

A plurality of battery cells can particularly be accommodated in ahousing segment, which can be arranged as a so-called battery stack. Inthis case, it is advantageous if each battery cell of the plurality ofthe battery cells accommodated in a housing segment is connected with aconnection strip to a voltage terminal of the cover element, inparticular to a first voltage terminal or to a second voltage terminal.In other words, this means that a plurality of battery cells, inparticular the battery cells of a battery stack, is connected to avoltage terminal, wherein respectively one battery cell is connectedwith respectively one connection strip to the voltage terminal.

It is furthermore possible, to accommodate the entire battery module ina foil, preferably accommodated in a pouch foil, which ensures a sealingof the battery module. In particular, the battery module isadvantageously wrapped in such a pouch foil so that the battery issealed off with respect to the surroundings, in particular frommoisture. It is also especially possible to accommodate a battery cellwhich is not accommodated in a pouch foil in a housing segment.

In a preferred manner, a cooling plate can especially be arranged on abottom side of the battery module for the purpose of heat removal.Furthermore, it is possible in a preferred manner to integrate thecooling plate into the battery module, in particular an integration intothe individual housing segments. In so doing, the cooling plateadvantageously has cooling channels through which a fluid can flow sothat an advantageous heat removal is possible. The cooling plate can beproduced from the same material as the battery module housing. Inaddition, the cooling plate can also be produced from a metallicmaterial so that the thermal conductivity is increased.

The invention further relates to a cover element for a battery modulehousing or for a battery module. The cover element forms a first coversegment and a second cover segment. Furthermore, the cover element, inparticular the first cover segment and/or the second cover segment, hasat least one metallic voltage terminal. The cover element preferably hasa first voltage terminal and a second voltage terminal. The first coversegment and/or the second cover segment have particularly a firstvoltage terminal and a second voltage terminal. In addition, the coverelement has a dividing line, which is formed by a plurality of openingsthat run continuously through the cover element or by weakened portionsin the material of the cover element. In addition, the dividing line isdesigned in such a way that the first cover segment and the second coversegment are separable from one another along the dividing line. Thus,the individual cover segments can be separated from one another. Thecover element is preferably designed as a plastic part, which isparticularly produced by injection molding. Furthermore, the coverelement is preferably designed as one piece. In this connection, the atleast one metallic voltage terminal can be integrated into the coverelement during the injection molding process.

The invention further relates to a battery module having a batterymodule housing, which forms a first housing segment and a second housingsegment. The first housing segment and the second housing segment arethereby used to accommodate at least one battery cell, which isaccommodated in a foil, in particular in a pouch foil, which is formedfrom a metallic material or contains a metallic material, wherein thebattery module housing is formed from plastic, which has a thermalconductivity of 1 to 100 W/mK, preferably 1 to 30 W/mK and in particularof 3 to 25 W/mK. The first housing segment is furthermore closable usinga first cover element, and the second housing segment using a secondcover element, wherein the first cover element and the second coverelement are made of a metallic material or plastic, have at least onevoltage terminal, and a connection strip electrically connects the atleast one voltage terminal to the battery cell. Hence, a simplereplacement of battery cells is possible.

The invention furthermore relates to a method for producing a batterymodule having a battery module housing and a cover element. Anelectrical connection is initially established between the at least onevoltage terminal and the battery cell that is accommodated in a housingsegment. The battery module housing is then closed using the coverelement so that the first cover segment closes the first housing segmentand the second cover segment the second housing segment. A formation ofthe battery cell and subsequently a functional test of the battery cellare then carried out. In the event of the function requirements of abattery cell not being fulfilled, the first cover segment is separatedfrom the second cover segment and the defective battery cell is replacedby a functioning battery cell. It is particularly possible to insert abattery cell that is already connected to a cover segment. The batterymodule housing is then irreversibly closed using the cover element.

It is advantageous if the connection strip connects the battery cell tothe at least one voltage terminal. In this case, the battery cell ispreferably designed as a jelly roll, and the jelly roll and the liquidelectrolyte are accommodated in a pouch foil. In this way, the jellyroll can be easily electrically connected to the at least one voltageterminal, and the pouch foil ensures a sealing of the battery cell. Itis thus possible to insert a battery cell which is already connected toa cover segment via the connection strip because the pouch foil sealsthe battery cell and thus no components of the battery cell can get outof the pouch foil. As a result, a faster and more reliable replacementof battery cells is possible.

The invention further relates to a battery having a battery modulehousing and having a cover element and/or a battery module.

It is possible to use any electrode materials, wherein silicon anodesare preferably used. In addition, anodes and cathodes containing carbonare preferred which are accommodated together with a liquid electrolytein a pouch foil.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Exemplary embodiments of the invention are depicted in the drawings andare explained in detail in the following description.

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 shows a first exemplary embodiment of a battery module housingaccording to the invention, which is closable using a cover element;

FIG. 2 shows a first exemplary embodiment of a cover element accordingto the invention for a battery module housing or for a battery module;

FIG. 3 shows a second exemplary embodiment of a battery module housingaccording to the invention, which is closable using a cover element;

FIG. 4 shows a second exemplary embodiment of a cover element accordingto the invention for a battery module housing or for a battery module;

FIG. 5 shows an exemplary embodiment of a battery module according tothe invention, in which a connection strip establishes an electricalconnection between at least one voltage terminal of a cover element anda battery cell and

FIGS. 6a and 6b show sectional views of an embodiment of a cover elementalong a dividing line.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1 shows a first exemplary embodiment of a battery module housing 1according to the invention.

The battery module housing 1 forms, for example, a first housing segment21 and a second housing segment 22. The first housing segment 21 and thesecond housing segment 22 form accommodation spaces 3 that are separatedfrom one another, in particular a first accommodation space 31 and asecond accommodation space 32, which are used in each case toaccommodate at least one battery cell 13, which is not shown in FIG. 1.Furthermore, a dividing wall 4 separates the first accommodation space31 and the second accommodation space 32 from one another, which can beseen in FIG. 1. The battery module housing 1 furthermore has, forexample, two end plates 10 which, as can be seen in FIG. 1, delimit thebattery module housing 1.

The battery module housing 1 furthermore has outer edges 16, which are,for example, arranged on a top side of the end plates 10 and the housingsegments 3. In addition, the battery module housing 1 has a separationedge 17 which is arranged on a top side of the dividing wall 4. Theouter edges 16 and the separation edge 17 are used for connecting acover element 5 to a battery module housing 1.

FIG. 2 shows a first exemplary embodiment of a cover element 5 accordingto the invention.

The cover element 5 is used to close a battery module housing 1. Thebattery module housing 1 shown in FIG. 1 is particularly closable usingthe cover element 5 shown in FIG. 2.

The cover element 5 forms a first cover segment 61 and a second coversegment 62. In so doing, the first cover segment 61 is used, forexample, to close the first housing segment 21 of the exemplaryembodiment from FIG. 1, and the second cover segment 62 is used to closethe second housing segment 22 of the exemplary embodiment from FIG. 1.

Furthermore, the cover element 5 has a dividing line 7 which separatesthe first cover segment 61 from the second cover segment 62 and which isdesigned in such a way that the first cover segment 61 and the secondcover segment 62 are separable from one another along the dividing line7.

As can be seen in FIG. 2, the dividing line 7 can be formed by aplurality of openings 8 that run continuously through the cover element5. It is furthermore possible that the dividing line 7 is formed bydefined weakened portions in the material of the cover element. Thedividing line 7 is preferably weakened in such a way that the layerthickness of the dividing line 7 is, for example, between 0.25 times and0.75 times of the layer thickness of a non-weakened point of the coverelement 5 and furthermore corresponds in particular to 0.5 times of thelayer thickness of a non-weakened point of the cover element. Inaddition, FIG. 6 particularly shows sectional views of cover element 5along the dividing line 7. In so doing, the FIGS. 6a ) and 6 b) showoptions for configuring the dividing line 7. The dividing line 7preferably has, as shown in FIG. 6, recesses 19, which can be preferablydesigned angularly as is shown in FIG. 6 a) and/or round as is shown inFIG. 6 b).

As can be seen in FIG. 2, the cover element 5 has at least one voltageterminal 9. The cover element 5 preferably has a first voltage terminal91 and a second voltage terminal 92. As can be seen in FIG. 2, the firstcover segment 61 and the second cover segment 62 particularly have ineach case a first voltage terminal 91 and a second voltage terminal 92.

The at least one voltage terminal 9, in particular the first voltageterminal 91 and the second voltage terminal 92, is of metalconstruction. The voltage terminal 9, 91, 92 is preferably made fromaluminum and/or copper or contains aluminum and/or copper.

Furthermore, the cover element 5 has outer edges 16 which are used foran irreversible connection to a battery module housing 1.

FIG. 3 shows a second exemplary embodiment of a battery module housing 1according to the invention.

The battery module housing 1 from FIG. 3 has a plurality of housingsegments 2. Furthermore, a housing segment 2 a, 2 b, 2 c, 2 d, 2 e, 2 f,2 g forms in each case an accommodation space 3 a, 3 b, 3 c, 3 d, 3 e, 3f, 3 g so that the battery module housing 1 has a plurality ofaccommodation spaces 3. The battery module housing 1 shown in FIG. 3forms seven housing segments 2, which further form in total sevenaccommodation spaces 3. The battery module housing 1 according to theinvention is not limited to the formation of seven housing segments 2nor to the formation of seven accommodation spaces, but can have anarbitrary number of housing segments 2 and accommodation spaces 3.

A dividing wall 4 separates in each case two adjacent housing segments 2from one another in the second exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 3.

The battery module housing 1 furthermore has two end plates 10 whichdelimit the battery module housing 1.

The second exemplary embodiment of a battery module housing 1 shown inFIG. 3 differs from the first exemplary embodiment of a battery modulehousing 1 shown in FIG. 1 by the number of the housing segments 2, thenumber of the accommodation spaces 3 formed and the number of thedividing walls 4.

A battery module housing 1 is preferably constructed in one piece. Thebattery module housing 1 can particularly be made of plastic. Theexemplary embodiments shown in FIGS. 1 and 3 of a battery module housingconstructed in one piece are therefore referred to as monoblock modules.

FIG. 4 shows a second exemplary embodiment of a cover element 5according to the invention.

The battery module housing 1 which is shown in FIG. 3 is particularlyclosable using the cover element 5 shown in FIG. 4.

The cover element from FIG. 4 is formed by a plurality of cover segments6. In addition, a cover segment 6 a, 6 b, 6 c, 6 d, 6 e, 6 f, 6 g isused in each case to close a housing segment 2 a, 2 b, 2 c, 2 d, 2 e, 2f, 2 g. The housing segment 2 a is particularly closable using the coversegment 6 a, the housing segment 2 b using the cover segment 6 b, thehousing segment 2 c using the cover segment 6 c, the housing segment 2 dusing the cover segment 6 d, the housing segment 2 e using the coversegment 6 e, the housing segment 2 f using the cover segment 6 f and thehousing segment 2 g using the cover segment 6 g.

In addition, the second exemplary embodiment of a cover element 5, whichis shown in FIG. 4, has a plurality of dividing lines 7. A dividing line7 divides in each case two adjacent cover segments 6.

Furthermore, a dividing line 7 can be formed by a plurality of openingsrunning continuously through the cover element 5 or by defined weakenedportions in the material of the cover element 5.

As can be seen in FIG. 4, the cover element 5 has at least one voltageterminal 9. The cover element 5 preferably has a first voltage terminal91 and a second voltage terminal 92. As can be seen in FIG. 4, eachcover segment particularly has a first voltage terminal 91 and a secondvoltage terminal 92. In so doing, a first voltage terminal 91 of a firstcover segment 6 can be arranged adjacent to a first voltage terminal 91of a second cover segment 6 or adjacent to a second voltage terminal 92of a second cover segment 6.

The at least one voltage terminal 9, in particular the first voltageterminal 91 and the second voltage terminal 92 is made of metal. Thevoltage terminal 9, 91, 92 is preferably formed from aluminum and/orcopper or contains aluminum and/or copper.

The second exemplary embodiment of a cover element 5 shown in FIG. 4forms 7 cover segments 6 and has 6 dividing lines 7. The cover element 5according to the invention is not limited to the configuration of 7cover segments 6 or to 6 dividing lines 7 but can have an arbitrarynumber of cover segments 6. The second exemplary embodiment shown inFIG. 4 of a cover element 5 according to the invention differs from thefirst exemplary embodiment of a cover element 5 according to theinvention shown in FIG. 2 by the number of the cover segments 6 and withit the number of the dividing lines 7.

The cover element 5 shown in FIGS. 2 and 4 is preferably made ofplastic, and a metallic voltage terminal 9, 91, 92 can be integratedinto the cover element 5 during the production of the cover element 5,in particular by injection molding. The cover element 5 is particularlyconstructed in one piece.

FIG. 5 shows an exemplary embodiment of a battery module 11 according tothe invention. The battery module 11 has a battery module housing 1according to the invention, which is particularly shown in FIGS. 1 and 3and is supported by their description. The battery module housing 1 ofthe battery module 11 forms at least one housing segment 2, inparticular a first housing segment 21, which forms an accommodationspace 3, in particular a first accommodation space, which is used toaccommodate at least one battery cell 13.

The electrodes of the battery cell 13 are preferably accommodated in apouch foil that is described above, and a battery cell 13 isparticularly designed as a wound cell, a so-called jelly roll. Inaddition, the liquid electrolyte of the battery cell 13 is accommodatedin the pouch foil, wherein the pouch foil seals the battery cell 13. Thetop side of the pouch foil is not depicted in FIG. 5 so that the jellyroll is visible. Before inserting the battery cell 13 into theaccommodation space 3, the electrodes of the battery cell, in particularthe jelly roll, and the liquid electrolyte are received in a pouch foil,which is then closed. Due to the accommodation of a battery cell 13 in apouch foil, it is not necessary to fill the liquid electrolyte throughan opening in a cover segment 6 of the cover element 5 into theaccommodation space 3.

The battery module housing 1 of the battery module 11 is particularlyclosable using a cover element 5, which is particularly shown in FIGS. 2and 4 and supported by the description thereof. The cover element 6forms at least one cover segment 6, in particular a first cover segment61. In this case, the first housing segment 21 is closable using thefirst cover segment 61. In addition, the cover segment 6, in particularthe first cover segment 61, has at least one voltage terminal 9. Thefirst cover segment 61 particularly has a first a first voltage terminal91 and a second voltage terminal 92. The voltage terminal 9, 91, 92 ismade of metal. The voltage terminal 9, 91, 92 is preferably made ofcopper and/or aluminum or contains copper and/or aluminum.

As can be seen in FIG. 5, a connection strip 12 electrically connectsthe voltage terminal 9, 91, 92 and the battery cell 13, as isillustrated by the arrows 12 a and 12 b. The connection strip 12preferably electrically connects the voltage terminals 9, 91, 92 and theelectrodes of the battery cell 13, in particular the jelly roll,directly to one another.

The establishment of the connection of the connection strip 12 to thevoltage terminal 9, 91, 92 and the connection of the connection strip 12to the electrodes of the battery cell 13, in particular the pouch foil,can take place by welding, adhesive bonding, soldering and other methodsknown from the prior art. In addition, it is also possible for theconnection strip 12 to be self-adhesive.

The battery module housing 1 of the battery module 1 can furthermoreform a first housing segment 21 and a second housing segment 22, whichin each case are used to accommodate at least one battery cell 13. Inaddition, the battery module housing 1 is closable using a cover element5, the cover element 5 forming a first cover segment 21 and a secondcover segment 22, which have a metallic voltage terminal 9, 91, 92. Thefirst housing segment 21 is thereby closable using the first coversegment 61 and the second housing segment 22 using the second coversegment. As described above, a connection strip 12 can electricallyconnect a battery cell 13 accommodated in a housing segment 21, 22 tothe metallic voltage terminal 9, 91, 92. The battery module housing 1preferably has a plurality of housing segments 2.

The voltage terminals 9, 91, 92 of the cover element 5 can furthermorebe electrically connected to one another by means of the methods knownfrom the prior art, in particular by bonding, in order to connect thebattery cells 13 of the battery module 11 in series or in parallel.

A cooling plate can particularly be disposed on an underside 18 of thebattery module housing 1 and/or the underside of the battery modulehousing 1 is made from thermally conductive plastic so than an effectiveheat removal is possible.

In order to produce a battery module 11 according to the inventionhaving a battery module housing 1 shown in FIGS. 1 and 3 and with acover element particularly shown in FIGS. 2 and 4, an electricalconnection is initially established between a voltage terminal 9, 91, 92and a battery cell 13. The electrodes of the battery cell 13 arepreferably configured as a jelly roll, and the battery cell 13 isaccommodated in a pouch foil; and in so doing, a connection strip 12particularly connects the battery cell to the voltage terminal 9, 91,92. The battery module housing 1 is subsequently closed using the coverelement 5 so that in each case a cover segment 6 closes a housingsegment and the battery cell 13 is accommodated in the interior of thehousing segment 2, in particular in an accommodation space 3. A firstcover segment 61 therefore closes a first housing segment 21 and asecond cover segment 62 closes a second housing segment 22. A formationof the battery cell 13 is then carried out. The formation of a batterycell 13 refers here to the conversion of the active material of a newlyproduced battery cell 13 into an improved form for the energy conversionprocesses taking place. In this connection, a first charging cycle or aplurality of first charging cycles at a controlled temperature and acontrolled current flow effect a conversion of the microstructure of theactive components, in particular of the electrodes. Hence, the contactbetween the electrolyte and the electrodes can be improved and theinternal resistance of the battery cell 13 can be reduced. Should it bedetermined in a subsequent functional test that a single battery cell 13does not satisfy the requirements, the cover segment 6 belonging to thisbattery cell 13 can be separated along the dividing line 7 from theadjacent cover segments 6, and the battery cell 13 can be replaced by afunctioning battery cell 13 in a simple manner. Thus, the rejection of abattery cell does not mean a rejection of the entire battery module 11.Then the battery module housing 1 of the battery module 11 isirreversibly closed using the cover element 5.

For the purpose of closing, the cover element 5 of the battery module 1is welded along the outer edges 15 of the individual cover segments 6and along the dividing lines 7 of the cover element 5 with the batterymodule housing 1 of the battery module 11, so that the cover element 5along the outer edges 15 is irreversibly connected to the outer edges 16of the battery module housing 1 and is connected along the dividing line7 to the dividing edges 17 of the battery module housing 1.

Particularly in the case of battery cells 13, which are accommodated ina pouch foil, it is possible to irreversibly connect, in particular toweld, the cover element 5 only along the outer edges 15 of the same tothe outer edges 16 of the battery module 1 because the pouch foil sealsa battery cell 13.

The dividing walls 4, the walls of the housing segments 2 and end plates10 in the Figures described above preferably have a wall thickness of 2to 20 mm. Each housing wall of the battery module can particularly haveas wall thickness of 2 to 20 mm.

FIGS. 6a and 6b show options for configuring the dividing line 7. Thedividing line 7, as shown in FIG. 6, preferably has recesses 19, 19 a,19 b which, as shown in FIG. 6a ), can be configured as angular recesses19 a and/or, as shown in FIG. 6b ), can be configured as round recesses19 b.

The battery module according to the invention can be used for batteriesin mobile applications, in particular in electric vehicles and E-bikes,and for batteries for use in stationary operations.

The invention claimed is:
 1. A battery module housing comprising a firsthousing segment (21) and a second housing segment (22) which formaccommodation spaces (3, 31, 32) that are separated from one another,each housing segment being used to accommodate at least one battery cell(13), wherein the battery module housing (1) is closable using a coverelement (5) which forms a first cover segment (61) and a second coversegment (62), wherein the first housing segment (21) is closable usingthe first cover segment (61) and the second housing segment (22) isclosable using the second cover segment (62), characterized in that thecover element (5) is weakened along a dividing line (7) such that thefirst cover segment (61) and the second cover segment (62) areconfigured to be separated from one another along the dividing line (7),wherein the cover element (5) has at least one voltage terminal (9)mounted thereon, and wherein the at least one voltage terminal (9, 91,92) is made of metal.
 2. The battery module housing according to claim1, characterized in that the battery module housing (1) is constructedin one piece and/or the first housing segment (61) and the secondhousing segment (62) are arranged adjacent to one another.
 3. Thebattery module housing according to claim 1, characterized in that thebattery module housing (1) has a three or more housing segments (2) andthe battery module housing (1) is closable using a cover element (5)which has a three or more cover segments (6) and a plurality of dividinglines (7).
 4. The battery module housing according to claim 1,characterized in that the battery module housing (1) and/or the coverelement (5) are made from plastic which has a thermal conductivity from1 to 100 W/mK.
 5. The battery module housing according to claim 1,characterized in that the battery cell (13) is accommodated in a foilwhich is formed from a metallic material or contains a metallicmaterial.
 6. The battery module housing according to claim 1,characterized in that the at least one voltage terminal includes a firstvoltage terminal (91) and a second voltage terminal (92), wherein thefirst cover segment (61) and/or the second cover segment (62), has thefirst voltage terminal (91) and the second voltage terminal (92).
 7. Thebattery module housing according to claim 1, characterized in that thebattery module housing (1) and/or the cover element (5) are made fromplastic which has a thermal conductivity from 1 to 30 W/mK.
 8. Thebattery module housing according to claim 1, characterized in that thebattery module housing (1) and/or the cover element (5) are made fromplastic which has a thermal conductivity from 3 to 25 W/mK.
 9. Thebattery module housing according to claim 1, characterized in that thebattery cell (13) is accommodated in a pouch foil, which is formed froma metallic material or contains a metallic material and which has athickness of 10 μm to 400 μm.
 10. The battery module housing accordingto claim 1, characterized in that the battery cell (13) is accommodatedin a pouch foil, which is formed from a metallic material or contains ametallic material and which has a thickness of 20 μm to 200 μm.
 11. Thebattery module housing according to claim 1, wherein the dividing line(7) is formed by a plurality of openings (8) that run continuouslythrough the cover element (5).
 12. The battery module housing accordingto claim 1, wherein the dividing line (7) is formed by a plurality ofrecesses (19) in the cover element (5).
 13. The battery module housingaccording to claim 12, wherein the plurality of recesses (19) areconfigured as angular recesses (19 a).
 14. The battery module housingaccording to claim 12, wherein the plurality of recesses (19) areconfigured as round recesses (19 b).
 15. The battery module housingaccording to claim 1, wherein the dividing line (7) is defined by aweakened portion of the cover element (5).
 16. A battery moduleaccording to claim 15, wherein the weakened portion of the cover element(5) has a layer thickness that is between 0.25 times and 0.75 times alayer thickness of a non-weakened point of the cover element (5).
 17. Abattery module according to claim 15, wherein the weakened portion ofthe cover element (5) has a layer thickness that is approximatelyone-half of a layer thickness of a non-weakened point of the coverelement (5).
 18. A method for producing a battery module, having abattery module housing according to claim 1 and having a cover element,wherein the cover element forms a first cover segment (61) and a secondcover segment (62) , wherein the first cover segment (61) and/or thesecond cover segment (62) have at least one voltage terminal (9, 91,92), and wherein the cover element (5) has a dividing line (7) which isformed by a plurality of openings (8) that run continuously through thecover element (5) or by weakened portions in the material of the coverelement (5), and such that the first cover segment (61) and the secondcover segment (62) are separable from one another along the dividingline (7), the method comprising initially establishing an electricalconnection between the at least one voltage terminal (9, 91, 92) and thebattery cell (13) accommodated in a housing segment (2, 21, 22), thenclosing the battery module housing (1) using the cover element (5) sothat the first cover segment (61) closes the first housing segment (21)and the second cover segment (62) the second housing segment (22), thenforming the battery cell (13), subsequently carrying out a functionaltest of the battery cell (13), then if the functional requirements of abattery cell (13) are not fulfilled, separating the first cover segment(61) from the second cover segment (62) and replacing the defectivebattery cell (13), and then irreversibly closing the battery modulehousing (1) using the cover element (5).
 19. The method according toclaim 18, characterized in that a connection strip (12) electricallyconnects the battery cell (13) to the at least one voltage terminal (9,91, 92).
 20. A battery having a battery module housing according toclaim 1 and having a cover element, wherein the cover element forms afirst cover segment (61) and a second cover segment (62) , wherein thefirst cover segment (61) and/or the second cover segment (62) have atleast one voltage terminal (9, 91, 92), characterized in that the coverelement (5) has a dividing line (7) which is formed by a plurality ofopenings (8) that run continuously through the cover element (5) or byweakened portions in the material of the cover element (5), and suchthat the first cover segment (61) and the second cover segment (62) areseparable from one another along the dividing line (7).
 21. A batteryhaving a battery module housing according to claim 1 and having abattery module that forms a first housing segment (21), wherein thefirst housing segment (21) are used to accommodate at least one batterycell (13) which is accommodated in a foil, wherein the battery modulehousing (1) is closable using a cover element (5) which forms a firstcover segment (61), wherein the first housing segment (21) is closableusing the first cover segment (61); and the cover element (5) has atleast one voltage terminal (9), characterized in that a connection strip(12) electrically connects the at least one voltage terminal (9, 91, 92)to the battery cell (13).